Prefabricated flue construction



Oct. 30, 1951 GUNDE'RSQN 2,573,195

PREFABRICATED FLUE CONSTRUCTION Filed March 16, 1949 2 SHEETS--SHEET l20 7 RUSSELL 0. GUNDERSON Oct. 30, 1951 R. o. GUNDERSON 2,573,195

PREFABRICATED FLUE CON-FTRUCTIOI Filed March 16, 1949 2 SHEETS--SHEET 2RUSSELL o. cumERso/v Patented Oct. 30, 951 I A 2,573,195

UN-ILTED- STATES PATENT PRIEFABRIGATED FLUE CONSTRUCTION Ru se l q nerswt, m ana. W s asknqr "tQ Kais'el? Al iiininum & ChemicalCorporation;

accrp'oration ofDelaware Application March 16, 1949,. Serial No.81:16.3.

io'olaims. (c1.26,3 4 6)'"'"v 'llhisi t pn re ates to fluesiaru aiaieeusa sa e the data-m Qua t rs Withi th trial iulinaces. and mo e. na ticla fl P 51 121 9. M .iabr cated .iiue Lei use I .t 'lli mfi-i fi W Wa stR9. ed

- eliminates the ncess lura i of. carbon anus .mstri tehit' usiasi assiifth' I re ab cat d flee 9.2 211? prewar int n iw .isgene i ly omer da anlate u 011 W 10h .etfa f d acctr inejl is p v d 3P. assembled ah v:riajcewitha tie rods and coupl r sertedthrough the shafts It is a furin the bricks. Thesejti e rods also serve to clamp a stronghack tofth etop oi the flue so that when thestrongback and brickwork are. clampedtogether the ue maybe easiiy moved from one location to another. A t tfbb Ci? f this'inv ntiq 1 0 pr idea Although theprefahricated flue ofthe present "prefabricated'fiue Wh beconstructed with inventmn is aaptable i61 .usihiother types or a of art industrial furnaces 'suchasfurnaces r r calcining 1 v 1' further obge'ctjor this invention istopm;- carbon cathode blocks, coke and cp i and t ose rude ac -f ricatedflue, v jhichw enusedwfll for drying materials employed in 'g amm re-"decrease thefsarety arid health hazards for duction operations; itisparticularly adapted fo'r maintenance'worli'men in the plants Whichutilize use, in carbon' anode baking furnaces". These'fur- ,SuGh fiues'ii' their furngt naces are ge era ly cgm ised f eve al. s ct An the Qb t1 this i ea j qn p vide that are intermittently'exposed to'he'at. Eachj'preiabricated'ilue; hich whenused will-increase section inturnflconsists' of several pits separated the'operational efiiciencyOran-industrial furnace. by refractory brickwork flues. Heat isindirectly Other pbiecta purposes and-advantages'of the transmitted tothe various pits "by means of a "invention wi'il'hereinafter more-fullyappear or heated gaseou medium which travelsthrough the will" beunderstood fromtlie following description passages in the fiues so thatas the refractories of 0f certainembodiments thereof duringwhich' 'refathe flue become heated, they in turn transmit erence will'be rnade tothe accompanying drawheat to the pits. Aiter the firing cycle iscomingswhe'rein z" pleted the pits in an individual section of theFigure 1' is a diagrammatic top plan View ef-a furnace are cooled bycirculatingair through the 40 carbon anode baking furnace section;showing fiues. the locati nof-the flues w thin the furnace aiid In thepast whenever a flue needed replacement, the path of flow of the gaseousmedium thereit was broken out and an entirely new fluebuilt through; lup by masons working within the pits. The firing '1 Figure 2 .is anelevational; longitudinal; secschedule of the furnacehadtobe accuratelytimed 'tion'al view o'f 'the preiabricated Tide of thei'pr'e sito allowfor such maintenance" work which in ent invention;

turn resulted in lost production time. Figure 3-is a plan viewofthestrongback shown By the use of a prefabricated fluelost produc-Figure 2; i I tion time has'been reduced to a minimum, since Figure 4;is aplan view partially in sectionof the entire flue can beprefabricated at, some other the cap mou hted' on' top oftheflue g Ipartof the plant and'transported directly to the Figure 5 is a sectionalelevational'view pr ne place where the damaged flue is located. The ofthe pavihg holeform'erstaken aleng-line 55 dama ed flu can th b c mple ey re q ie e Y and a new flue loweredinto position, Figure 6 isja planview of the paving-hole In addition the use f prefabricated flu es alsoformershown in'sectioninFigure5; .a make po si mo eefli ient useof themasons Figu e 7 isa ,eipareed iew'ta senalqf ie i e time in building thflue, ,inthat it enables them i-'-'! "of Figure 2;, the coup t use suimi gslandfix u s in th -cons e .th adedly engages the 1 ate, p te tionthereof at a central location ihihe plant, j ir oyedgf' which wo ld o hrwise t a s e o ili e 6 f. Withkia r aetii iet efa tea.

particularly Figure 1, it will be apparent that a plurality ofprefabricated flues lo, the subject matter of the present invention arelocated in rows within a carbon anode baking furnace in such a manner asto serve as side partitions or walls for the various carbon anode bakingpits ll thereby formed therein. Headwalls l2 of the furnace can also beprefabricated in the manner of the flues l0. However, the invention willbe described as applied to flues III.

In laying up the brickwork for the flues of the furnace the bricks arebonded together and so constructed and arranged, in a manner well knownin the art, as to provide tortuous passages through which aheatedgaseous medium passes as is disclosed by arrows showing thedirection of flow in Figures 1 and 2. This heated gaseous medium in turnheats the refractories of the flues and thereby indirectly heats thecarbon anodes in the baking pits.

The prefabricated flue embodied in the present invention is comprised ofa base plate 13, upon which a channeled member 14', is mounted with itschanneled portion facing downwardly. A plurality of stud bolts l5 whoseupper portions are threaded are then inserted through holes in thechanneled member and are either welded to or threadedly engage a bore inthe base plate.

A nut lo may also be welded to the base plate and the stud bolt passedtherethrough to lock the stud bolt more securely in position and preventit from being withdrawn through the hole in the channeled member l4.

The flue is then built up by laying a plurality of brick courses uponthe base plate until the I proper height for the flue is attained.During .this operation the bricks are so layed up that tortuouspassageways are provided in the flue,

to be quite satisfactory. It has also been found advantageous to useinsulated refractories at the upper portion l9 and lower portion 20 ofthefiue.

In laying up the bricks provision is made whereby the bricks at each ofthe ends of the fines are so arranged that preformed holes in certain ofthe bricks in the several courses will be brought into verticalalignment so that two shafts 21 are provided into which tie rods 2| maybe inserted.

Permanently aifixed to the lower end of the tie rods 2| are couplings orcylindrical sleeves 22. These sleeves have internal threads at the lowerportion thereof so that they may slip over and upon turning threadedlyengage the stud bolts l5. These sleeves are also either welded to orthreadedly engage the lower extremity of the rods 2|.

Before the tie rods 21 and couplings are inserted within the shafts 21,a top frame or cap 23 best shown in Fig. 4, comprised of side and endchannel irons 24 and 25 which are welded together and also tied togetherby means of a plurality of steel rods 26, is placed upon the top of theflue as shown in Figure 2;

After this top frame is placed on top of the flue and affixed thereto bysuitable means, concrete may be poured into the frame whereby the frameis permanently cemented to the top of the .an opening 33 in the concretewhich will be in alignment with each shaft 21, as well as a means forpreventing the concrete while soft and plastic from flowing into thesaid shafts.

Bearing plates 30 with holes 32 may be aifixed to the cap 23 if desired.If the cap is cement filled as shown in Fig. 2, they are inserted withinthe cement before it sets at each extremity of the top frame. Theseplates then serve as bearing members for the strongback 3| at that pointon the flue top where the strongback rests upon the concrete adjacentthe shafts 21 to prevent chipping of the concrete at this point becauseof the weight of the strongback, and the Wear on the hole 33 caused bythe tie rods. Holes '32 are also in alignment with shafts 21 and theopenings 33 formed by the paving hole former 28. When plates 30 are usedwith a cement filled cap they are first put upon the cement and thepaving hole formers thrust through the holes 32 therein, directly aboveshafts 21.

The strongback 3| is placed upon the top frame 23 in such a manner thatit overlaps the frame, and as best shown in Fig. 3 as comprised of twoupright channel irons 34 whose channels face outwardly. These channelsare closed by steel side strips 35, welded to said irons. The ends ofthe channel irons are also covered by steel end strips 35.

It will be noted by referring to Fig; 3 that the channel irons 34 arenot placed in exact back to back relationship but are spaced apart toprovide a longitudinal slot or opening 31 into which a handle or bail 38may be inserted.

The channel irons 34 are welded together at a plurality of points bymeans of bars generally indicated at 39, and the strongback bail afterinsertion in slot 31 is also welded Or retained in place by any suitablemeans.

On the upper surface of each extremity of the strongback a secondbearing plate 40 is positioned. Each of these plates has an aperture 4|permanently afiixed to the strongback by means of the nuts and washers42 and 43, respectively.

When tie rods 21 with their associated couplings are inserted throughthe various holes or openings in the bearing plates, strongback,concrete cap and bricks and threadedly engage the stud bolts IS on thebase plate, and when nuts 42 with washers 43 are tightened about theupper threaded extremity of each tie rod, the strongback and flue areclamped together. Thus, it is obvious that by this method the flue willbe securely held together during the time it is moved into the furnaceby the building crane. After the flue has been placed in the desiredspot, the tie rods and couplings are removed as well as the strongback,all of which can then be used again on the next flue to be moved.

When the tie rods have been removed from a flue which has been placed inposition within the furnace, the shaftszl may advantageouslyb e used in:taking; temperature measurements and: im making flame observations;

In addition after the flue has; been placed in position and thestrongback and tie rods have been removed; the use. of a. concrete;steel reinforced flue top will provide a. firmer, safei foot-' ing for.the men working on thefurnace, and: the life of the flue is increased inthat the reinforced-i concrete top acts as a beam across its entirelength, thereby uniformly distributing any heavy loads such as buckets,carbon: baskets and jib cranes; which previously were concentrated loadsuponv the: flues;

While the inventionahas' been shown but one form, it will be obvious: tothose skilledainthe; art that it is not so restricted, but is.susceptible of various changes and modifications; without departingfromthe spirit thereof and all within the scope of the appended claims"wherein:'

Whatis claimed is? I 1'. A prefabricated flue assembly of the type:described, which is adapted to be transportedto and inserted as a unitin a carbon anode-baking furnace and the like, comprising a base plate,a plurality of spaced refractoryside walls mounted upon and extendingupwardly from said base plate, a plurality of coupling members'afli xedto and projecting upwardly from said base plate, cross-tie refractorymembers interposed between and attachable to said refractory side walls,at predetermined points thereon so as to provide a top; apertured endwalls and interior-baffle means for said flue assembly, said topbeingfrirther'pruvided with vertical openings in substantial'registry withsaid coupling members on said base. plate and removable means attachableto a hoisting apparatus for transporting said flue assembly as a unitfrom one location to another, said meansincluding'a strongback memberpositioned. on the top of said flue assembly'having tie rods d'eplend'ingly attached thereto, said tie rods being adapted;

to be inserted in the openings in the top of said flue assembly and tobe ,removably fastened to the coupling members on said base plate, whensaid strongback member is placed upon the topof said flue assembly.

2. A prefabricated flue assembly of th type. described whichisadaptedto.be transported as a.

unit to andinserted. in a carbon anode. baking furnace and the like,comprising at base plate, at

' pluralityof spaced refractoryiside walls mounted upon and extendingupwardly from said base plate; cross-tie refractory members interposedbetween and attachable to said. refractory side walls at predeterminedpointsf thereon and providing a top, apertured end'walls and interiorbaffle means for said flue assembly, a plurality of; coupling membersaflixed to and projecting upwardly from said base plate, and removablemeans attachable to a hoisting apparatus for transporting said flueassembly as a unit from one location to another said means including avstrongback member positioned: on the top of said flue assembly havingtie rods dependingly attached thereto, said the rods being adapted to beremovably. secured to the coupling members on said base plate, when saidstrong-back memben is placed upon said, flue assembly.

3. A prefabricated flue assembly of the type described which is adapted'to" be transpnjrted toandinserted asa unit in a carbon anode bakingfurnace and the like, comprising a base plate, a plurality of spacedrefractory side walls mounted upon and extending upwardly from said baseplate, a plurality of StlldlbOltS affixed to-and projecting upwardlyfrom said base plate intermed late saidrefractory side walls, cross-tierefractory members interposed between and attachable tramp-mtmgsaid flueassembly as a unit from one location to another, said means including astrongbaci: member positioned on the top of said flue assembly andhaving tie rods dependingly attached thereto, said tie rods beingadapted to beinserted in the openings inthe top of said flue assemblyand removably fastened to the stud' boltson said base plate, when saidstrongback member is placed uponthe top of'sai'd fl ue assembly;

4a A prefabricated flue assembly of thet'ype described" which is adaptedto be transported to and inserted as a unit in a carbon anode bakingfurnace and the like, comprising a base plate, a pluralityof spacedrefractory side walls mounted upon and extending upwardly from said baseplate, aplurality of coupling members afiixed to and projecting upwardlyfrom said base plate; cross-tierefractory' members interposed betweenand attachable to said refractory side walls at predetermined pointsthereon so as to provide a top, apertured end walls, and interiorba-flle means for said flue assembly, a-metallic frame reinforci-Tlg"cap mounted upon and secured to the top ofsaid fl'ue assembly, said flueassembly top also be-' ing provided with vertical openings insubstantial alignmentwitli said coupling members on said base plate, andremovable means attachable toa hoisting apparatus for transportingsai'dflue assembly as a unit from one location to another, said meansincluding a strongback member positinned on the top of saidflue assemblyand having tie rods dependingly attached thereto, said tie rods'beingadapted to be inserted in the openings in the top of the flue assemblyand removablyfastened to the coupling members on said base plate, whensaid strongback member is placed upon the top of the flue assembly.

5. A prefabricated flue assembly of the type defined in claim 4 whereinthe reinforcing cap for the top of the flue-assembly is substantiallyfilled with cement.

6; In a carbon anode baking furnace consisting of a plurality of flueshaving bafiie means therein so arranged as to provide a tortuous passagefor hot gases flowing therethrough, the im provement which comprises aprefabricated flue assembly which is adapted to be transported toand':inserted as a unit the said furnace, said flue assembly including a baseplate, a plurality of spaced refractory side walls mounted upon andextending upwardly fromsaid base plate,- aplurality of coupling membersaflixed to and projeeting upwardly from said base plate, cross-tieassembly as a unit from one location to another,

said means including a strongback member positioned on the top of saidflue assembly having tie rods dependingly attached thereto, said tierods being adapted. to be inserted in the openings in the top of saidflue assembly and removably fastened to the coupling members on saidbase plate when said strongback member is placed upon the top of saidflue assembly.

'7. In a carbon anode baking furnace consisting of a plurality of flueshaving baffle means therein so arranged as to provide a tortuous passagefor hot gases flowing therethrough, the improvement which comprises aprefabricated flue assembly adapted to be transported as a unit to andinserted in said furnace, said flue assembly including a base plate, aplurality of spaced refractory side walls mounted upon and extendingupwardly from said base plate, a plurality of stud bolts affixed to andprojecting upwardly from said base plate, cross-tie refractory membersinterposed between and attachable to said refractory side walls atpredetermined points thereon so as to provide a top, apertured end wallsand interior baflle means for said flue assembly, a metallic framereinforcing cap for the top of said flue assembly, and said flueassembly top being further provided with vertical openings insubstantial alignment with said stud bolts on said base plate andremovable means attachable to a hoisting apparatus for transporting saidflue assembly as a unit from one location to another, said meansincluding a strongback member positioned on the top of said flueassembly having tie rods dependingly attached thereto, said tie rodsbeing adapted to be inserted in the openings in the top of the flueassembly and removably fastened to the coupling members on said baseplate when said strongback member is placed upon the top of said flueassembly.

8. In a carbon anode baking furnace consisting of a plurality of flueshaving a baflle means therein so arranged as to provide a tortuouspassage for hot gases flowing therethrough, the improvement whichcomprises a prefabricated flue assembly adapted to be transported as aunit to and inserted in said furnace, said flue assembly including abase plate, a plurality of spaced refractory side walls mounted upon andextending upwardly from said base plate, a plurality of stud boltsaffixed to and projecting upwardly from said base plate, cross-tierefractory members interposed between and attachable to said refractoryside walls at predetermined points thereon, so as to provide a top,apertured end walls and interior bafiie means for said flue assembly, ametallic frame reinforcing cap adapted to be filled with cement mountedupon the top of said flue assembly and said flue assembly top and saidcement filled cap being further provided with aligned vertical openingsin substantial registry with said stud bolts on said base plate, andremovable means attachable to a hoisting apparatus for transporting saidflue assembly as a unit from one location to another, said meansincluding a strongback member positioned on the top of said flueassembly and having tie rods dependingly attached thereto, said tie rodsbeing adapted to be inserted in the openings in the top and cap of saidflue assembly and removably fastened to the stud bolts on said baseplate when said strongback member is placed upon the top of said flueassembly.

9. A prefabricated flue assembly of the type described which is adaptedto be transported to and inserted as a unit in a carbon anode bakingfurnace andv the like, comprising a base plate, a plurality of spacedrefractory side walls mounted upon and extending upwardly from said baseplate, a plurality of coupling members afflxed to and projectingupwardly from said base plate, cross-tie refractory members interposedbetween and attachable to said refractory side walls at predeterminedpoint thereon and providing a top, apertured end .walls and interiorbaffle means for said flue assembly, said top being further providedwith vertical openings in substantial alignment'with said couplingmembers on said base plate and removable means readily attachable to ahoisting apparatus .for transporting said flue assembly as a unit fromone place to another said means including a strongback member positionedupon the top of said flue assembly, said strongback member beingcomprised of a plurality of elongated and oppositely disposed channelmembers fastened together by a plurality of spacing bars and saidstrongback member also having a plurality of tie rods dependinglyattached thereto, said tie rods being adapted to be removably insertedin the openings in the top of said flue assembly and removably fastenedto the coupling members on said base plate, when said strongback memberis placed upon the top of said flue assembly.

' 10. A prefrabricated flue assembly of the type described, which isadapted to be transported to and inserted as a unit in a carbon anodebaking furnace and the like, comprising a base plate, a plurality ofspaced refractory side walls mounted upon and extending upwardly fromsaid base plate a plurality of studlbolts aflixed to andprojectingupwardly from said base plate, cross-tie refractory members interposedbetween and attachable to said refractory side walls at predeterminedpoints thereon so as to provide a top, apertured end walls and interiorbaflle means for said flue assembly, a reinforcing metallic frame capmounted upon the top of said flue assembly and said flue assembly topalso being provided with vertical openings in substantial registry withsaid stud bolts on said base plate and removable means readilyattachable to a hoisting apparatus for transporting said flue assemblyas a unit from one place to another, said means including a strongbackmember positioned upon the cap of said flue assembly, said strongbackmember being comprised of a plurality of elongated and oppositelydisposed channel members fastened together by a plurality of spacingbars and said strongback member also having tie rods dependinglyattached thereto, said tie rods being adapted to be inserted in theopenings in the top of said flue assembly and removably fastened to thestud bolts on said base plate when said strongback member is placed uponthe cap of said flue assembly.

RUSSELL O. GUNDERSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

, UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,688,321 Abbott Oct. 23, 1928

